The Memorial Day guard had scored only eight points in the first four quarters, but came alive with nine points in overtime to key the Matadors’ 65-60 victory over First Presbyterian of Hinesville on Saturday in the GISA Class AA state championship game.

“I just knew I had to do whatever I could to get us going,” said Baker, who ended the game with 17 points. “They had beat us pretty bad a few weeks ago in the region tournament, and we have been thinking about that game ever since. We just never let up because we wanted that state championship ring so bad.”

Memorial Day came out playing a 1-3-1 zone, mainly to slow down super sophomore Herbert Roberts, who had scored 26 points in the Highlanders’ semifinal win over Griffin Christian. The plan worked as Roberts was scoreless in the first half. Still FPCA led 21-20 mainly because of the play of post player Ahman Muhammad, who scored eight points and had seven rebounds.

Memorial Day started to get some momentum in the third quarter. The Matadors led 36-29 when Baker scored a basket and pushed that lead to 45-37 in the fourth quarter on a Deric Wright basket. Roberts rallied FPCA with eight quick points, his last basket giving the Highlanders the lead at 49-48 with 1:45 left in the game. Seconds later he fouled out, one of three starters that left because of fouls.

Mari Latson made two free throws with 46 seconds left to give Memorial the lead, but D’Angelo Streeter made two free throws for FPCA to give them back the lead by one. Latson made one free throw with 11 seconds left to tie the game at 51-all.

FPCA had three chances to win, including a close shot in the paint that just rolled out at the buzzer.

FPCA played most of the overtime with two eighth-graders in the game, and although Streeter did all he could, scoring five quick points, in the long run FPCA could not overcome the 46 free throws shot by Memorial Day.

“We came into the game wanting to slow down Roberts, who I believe is the best player in the GISA,” Memorial Day coach Michael Thompson said, “and to attack on the offensive side and get them in foul trouble, and we were able to do both.

“We knew how good they were, and we hoped we would be able to get back to them after they beat us in the region tournament,” Thompson continued. “We have worked extremely hard in the last week to get ready for them and the hard work paid off. I am so glad my kids got to play in a big time atmosphere like Mercer has. It just feels like an NBA arena, and the kids loved it.”

Latson scored 17 points, while Streeter led FPCA with 18.

Memorial Day athletic director Mark Sussman noted that Thompson and Tony Welch — whom he considers a co-coach — have combined to win two basketball and two football state titles at Memorial in the past seven years.